Peocess of sterilizing



, Sept. 17, 1929. D, CROW-[HER 1,728,333

PROCESS OF STERILIZING Filed Jan. 17, 1918 fnuevfor: fiaw'a rowffigr.

Patented Sept. 17, 1929 TES TED ST PATENT PROCESS OF STERILIZINGApplication filed January 17, 1918.

My invention relates to a process of sterilizing organisms. It relatesmore particularly to a'process of sterilizing material for foods andmedicines, suchas flesh, milk,

5 vaccine material, etc.

, I subject the organisms or material which it is desired to sterilizeto an inert gas under a high degree of pressure. I may employ any of theinert gases such as nitrogen or hydrogen for this purpose, but I preferto use carbon dioxide since I have found that this gas is effective formy purpose at a lower pressure than that required for any of the othergases which I may employ. I have found by experiment'that various0rganisms when subjected to carbon dioxide at a pressure of 800 to 900lbs. per square inch above atmosphere will become supersaturated. Themolecules of the gas being smaller than those of the organisms to besterilized, will penetrate to the interior of such organisms in thecourse of time when sufiicient pressure is applied and causesuper-saturation. Then by suddenly releasing the pressure the largeincrease in the volume of the gas inside the organism will burst itsstructure with complete destruction of all life contained therein.Thorough sterilization is thus accomplished without the application ofheat. The accompanying drawing shows a simple form of apparatus which Imay employ in carrying out my process.

Referring to the drawing, a receptacle 1 has an opening 2 at one end bywhich it may be connected with a supply of gas such I as carbon dioxide.The other end of the receptacle is closed except for a small passage 3.A cap 4 contaming a chamber 5 is externally screw threaded u on thereceptacle 1 at 6. A closure mem er 7 carried by the cap is adaptedtosecurely close the passage 3 when the cap is screwed into lace. Leadinginto the side of the member is an opening 8 which extends to the cmterthereof and then extends outwardly in an axial line through the outerend of this member.

In carrying out my process the material to be sterilized is placed inthe receptacle 1 and is subjected to the inert gas introduced Serial No.212,319.

through the opening 2 under the proper is inert with relation to thematerial being treated under pressure for a period of time sufficient tocause the organisms in the material to become saturated, and thensuddenly releasing the pressure whereby the sudden expansion of the gaswithin the organisms will disrupt the same.

2. The process of sterilizing which consists in subjecting material tocarbon dioxide under pressure for a period of time su flicient to causethe or anisms in the material to become saturate and then suddenlyreleasing the pressure whereby the sudden expansion of the gas withinthe organisms will disrupt the same.

. In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

' DAVID CROWTHER.

